Moms all over country are counting days until “back to school”, while kids are busy packing in every last minute of fun and relaxation available. The following are a few tips to ease your family’s transition to school day schedule.

•School Supplies – Many schools publish lists of needed supplies early. Save time by shopping now, while stores are less crowded and prices are low. Buy in bulk – you will likely need paper, pencils, and pens for many years to come, so go ahead and stock up now.

•Clothing – Plan to take each child shopping well in advance of first week of school. I prefer, when possible, to take each child individually. I’m fortunate that my children wear uniforms for school, so we don’t have many disagreements over style. Prior to leaving on your shopping trip, assess your child’s current clothing. Determine what fits properly, is still in style and will last through season. Donate clothing your child has outgrown to a charitable organization’s thrift store. Then, make a list of your needs and shop only for items on your list. Prior to shopping, be sure to check with your school with regards to dress code regulations and do not purchase items which do not meet school’s dress code.

•Hair and grooming – Most children, especially boys, will need haircuts after lazy days of summer. Do yourself a favor and take them now rather than waiting until last minute and facing long wait times. Also, now is a good time to stock up on personal care products for coming year, to restock toothbrushes, and to determine pecking order for shower schedules.

The skin is largest organ of our body – a barrier between us and “outside”, and our first line of defense against pollution, chemicals, and germs and dirt of everyday life. Our skin is also a delicate filtering system, allowing substances to enter our bodies and even our bloodstream (as an example, think of many medications that are adminstered transdermally, or through skin), and helps us eliminate toxins from our systems. Babies and children have delicate, sensitive skin, newly exposed to harshness of everyday life, so it’s especially important to consider what products we use on them. Babies and children also love to put their hands (and feet!) in their mouths, so remember that any moisturizers, powders or lotions may be ingested by your child. It’s important to make sure that lotions, soaps, creams and powders that we use on children are as natural and healthy as possible.

Many babies and children have dry skin, and most baby lotions, salves, and oils contain high percentages of mineral oil or other petroleum products. Unfortunately, mineral oil does not absorb well into skin, and in fact clogs pores and makes it difficult our skin to eliminate toxins. Mineral oil is also a non-renewable resource; it is a byproduct of distillation of gasoline from crude oil. Given these facts, it’s preferable to use natural vegetable oils as base ingredient in natural lotions, salves, and moisturizing oils.

Many baby products also contain colorants, fillers, and fragrances that unfortunately do little except irritate sensitive, delicate skin. Synthetic fragrances can also exacerbate baby eczema, acne, and diaper rash. Unscented, all-natural products are safest things to use on our children.

One way to ensure purity, freshness and quality of products we use on our children is to make them ourselves. Making your own all-natural powders, salves, and bath products is a wonderful way to care for your children. The recipes given below are simple and use common, yet effective all-natural ingredients to create exquisite formulas that pamper and soothe your baby.

Moistuizing Milk Bath Milk is a soothing, moisturizing, yet non-greasy bath additive that gently soothes and cleanses your child’s skin. If your child is allergic to cow’s milk, powdered goats milk makes a wonderful substitute in this recipe.

1 cup dried milk 1/2 cup cornstarch 2-3 drops lavender or chamomile essential oils (optional)

Combine all ingredients and stir. Chamomile and lavender essential oils are soothing, calming, and relaxing – a warm lavender aromatherapy bath does wonders for a fussy baby or toddler! (Please use essential oils only on babies 6 months or older). To use: sprinkle a small amount in a warm bath. This makes a wonderful gift, especially when presented in a pretty recycled shaker jar or bottle.

Baby’s Bum Powder This talc-free powder utilizes power of nature’s finest herbs and to gently soothe and heal irritated skin.

1 cup arrowroot powder 1 tbsp. dried ground chamomile 1 tbsp. dried ground lavender